Update on Gulf Coast Waterways Openings

HOUSTON – The men and women of the U.S. Coast Guard continue to reset navigational markers in the aftermath of Hurricane Ike, allowing merchant ships to operate in near normal conditions.

After Hurricane Ike roared ashore Sept. 13, Coast Guard personnel in South East Texas and Louisiana have worked tirelessly to restore the waterways that are vital to America’s economy. Even as a category two hurricane, Ike devastated buoys, day markers and range signs, wiping away nearly all the markers that allow ships to transit safely in Gulf Coast Waters.

The following are the current restrictions of affected waterways following Hurricane Ike:

Houston Ship Channel: The HSC is open to project depth from the sea buoy to Sims Bayou. The HSC is open with a draft restriction of 34 feet from Sims Bayou to the HSC turning basin.

Port of Galveston: The Port of Galveston is open to vessels with drafts of 34 feet or less during daylight transit only, 16 feet or less at night.

Texas City: The waterway is open to project depth during daylight transit only, 16 feet or less at night.

Freeport, Texas: The waterway is open to vessels with a draft of 38 feet or less daylight transit only, 16 feet or less at night.

Sabine-Neches Waterway: The waterway is open to vessels with a draft of 40 feet or less daylight transit only, 33 feet at night.

Calcasieu Waterway: The waterway is open to vessels with a draft of 38 feet or less.

For more information on port and waterways opening please visit the Coast Guard’s Storm Watch web site at http://www.uscgstormwatch.com or call the number listed above.